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Exploring Green Innovations: A Visit to Tallinn’s Learning and Community Gardens



In their quest to design an innovative and educational greenhouse for Tartu, the Institute of Baltic Studies (IBS) and Tartu Hansa Kool recently conducted an exploratory visit to Tallinn. The aim was to gather ideas and insights that would inform the development of an outdoor learning space at Tartu’s school greenhouse, which will be constructed using cutting-edge IPV glass.


Gleaning Inspiration from Tallinn’s Green Spaces

During their visit, the IBS team explored various learning and community gardens across Tallinn, as well as several greenhouses, to observe how other projects have successfully created engaging and sustainable outdoor environments. The experience provided a wealth of inspiration and showcased creative approaches to utilizing space and fostering community involvement in green initiatives.


Key Highlights from the Visit

Several key practices stood out during the exploration:

  • Popular Plants: The team noted that tomatoes, herbs, and alpine strawberries were among the most commonly cultivated plants in the greenhouses and garden boxes they visited. These plants are not only well-suited to such environments but also serve as an accessible starting point for educational gardening.

  • Educational Plant Descriptions: A unique feature observed was the inclusion of simplified plant descriptions alongside the traditional Latin names and detailed botanical information. These descriptions are tailored to help children better understand and connect with the plants, enhancing the garden’s educational value.

  • Innovative Use of Space: One particularly inspiring example involved an apartment building that had transformed a shaded area next to the structure into a herb garden for growing kombucha mushrooms. This creative use of otherwise underutilized space highlighted the potential for innovation in urban gardening.



The IBS team and the Increase project extend their sincere thanks to the City of Tallinn for hosting the visit and offering such invaluable inspiration. The insights gained have sparked numerous innovative ideas that will be pivotal in shaping the school greenhouse project in Tartu.

These new perspectives will be essential in developing a vibrant and educational outdoor learning environment for the students of Tartu Hansa Kool as the project progresses.

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